Can't Update Windows 2000

Joined
Apr 3, 2002
Messages
688
I just did a fresh install of 2000 on an older Pc. Installed service pack 4, the bootleg SP5 one, and even the windows update agent. Did a net framework install and java. I searched high and low and found nothing. Before the format it worked fine. The error number is 0x800B0109
 
Well I found an answer in a weird place. Still not working because microsoft says my time and date are wrong
http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...visiting/a75a5d8c-deb0-4b39-9982-42f0a72ad848

Page 2

Yes, there is a solution to this problem.

First off, let's make it clear that even though 2K is EOL, that only means that MS does not develop or deploy new Security and other updates to the general public for it. It DOES NOT mean that WU has been cut off for it. In fact, when I explored all the links in the error dialog box while trying to update a clean install of 2K Server, the supported OS list implied that under extremely extraordinary circumstances MS might consider a new security update for 2KSP4. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for one to come out though!

Back to the current problem. In a nut shell, the problem is not with the latest WU agent or any of it's components. The issue is a clean install from CD of any version of 2K has antique Root Certificates, which can no longer be used to validate the code signing of the current WU components. Unfortunately, neither the standalone SP4 or the Rollup Update for SP4 has the required certificate update either.

So here's how to get around it:

1.) After you do the clean install, go to WU. When you get there, start the procedure. It will fail (as we have seen), however if you look closely at the popup dialog box, it's telling you it can't validate the ActiveX control in addition to asking if you want to install and run it. So...

2.) Click on the Microsoft Software Publisher link at the bottom of the dialog, and force IE to install the certificate.

3.) At this point the web control should work and WU will start the scanning process.

4.) However, there's another gotcha. The first thing the scanner does is DL a cabinet file which contains information WU needs to figure out what updates you require. Of course this has to get validated as well, but the problem now is that WU doesn't give you the opportunity to ram the certificate down Windows throat like it did for the ActiveX control.

5.) Now for the part you're REALLY going to love! If you recall, the Root Certificate updates for 2K were (and still are) classified as "optional" ones. Worse, I couldn't find it when rooting through the Windows Update Catalog catacombs! So, I had to resort to doing a Google search for "Windows 2000 Root Certificate Updates". Here's the link for where I got the one I used:

http://download.windowsupdate.com/m..._a153023b66d29034420aa227ccc2164cff75229e.exe

Run the DL'ed exe, and now WU should work on your 2K installation again.

HTH,

Al

Now i wonder how Windows 98 acts
 
Last edited:
Used to have issues a few years ago with some Win2K boxes some of our customers had failing to do Windows Updates. A few of those were fixed by installing a package from M$ that contained both BITS 2.0 and WinHTTP 5.1. Win2K was sweet for its time.
 
Got it fixed, so i did a reload again to make it right.

1. Install W2k

2.Get IE6 SP1, that is some what hard to come across since M$ redid their website. So I used IE6.

3. Install update agent 3.0 and http://download.windowsupdate.com/m..._a153023b66d29034420aa227ccc2164cff75229e.exe. The Root Certificate fixed the date/time problem

4. Run update, click the publisher link. Without the "2000 Root Certificate Update" it will say the updated ((update)) ActiveX is not good and you will have to make it install. With the Root Certificate Update it will say its fine.

5. After all that the non SP1 IE6 will cash every time it's opened. Used the update agent that shows up in the task bar to update the windows installer and the other root thing. Restart. Let the PC sit for about 3mins and then the IE6 SP1 update will pop up, install it.

6. Now IE6 will be able to use windows update with a problem.

But it feels good to get my old system back in working order
 
I'm sure the same thing will happen to Windows 2000 in the near future.

That is one thing i don't understand why. I know update are not being made, but it was working so fine at a time. Everything from Windows NT4 to Vista could update with no problems. They could at lease make a mega service pack that covers all updates.

Running windows 2000 without updates can even happen. But its almost like windows 98 were its so old spyware will crash when it tries to install.
 
I had the same problem after a clean repair installation. You must also apply Update Rollup 1 to get Windows Updates to work. This is what I did to fix my issues

Repair installation Windows 2000 Professional
Installed Windows 2000 SP4
Installed IE6 SP1
(at this point Windows Update causes IE6 to crash)
Then...
Install Update Rollup 1 (KB891861) available from
http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=18997

Such a simple solution for days of aggravating effort.
 
Back
Top